Cardiovascular risk in testicular cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy: incidence, significance, and practice implications.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To explore what is known regarding cardiovascular late effects of treatment, such as Raynaud phenomenon, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and coronary artery disease as well as the risk for cardiovascular events experienced by patients with testicular cancer treated with chemotherapy.

DATA SOURCES

Literature review of treatment options and cardiovascular risk in patients with testicular cancer from PubMed, MEDLINE, oncology nursing literature, and the Internet.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Evidence exists that chemotherapy used to treat testicular cancer may increase risk of cardiovascular disease. More research is needed to clarify the risks further. Patients and their healthcare providers must be aware of the potential toxicities.

CONCLUSIONS

A limited but growing body of research is focused on defining cardiovascular risks in this population.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Nurses have an important role in exploring and identifying cardiovascular risk factors in patients, furthering research to clarify the risks, and using the knowledge to improve patient care and education.